70 
Gipps Land . 
more particularly from the weakness of the adventurers, who, 
being by this time entirely out of provisions, were reduced to 
live upon the Australian hear or monkey, which was only 
occasionally obtainable. Happily both the ascent and descent 
of the dividing range in the direction of Western Port was 
gradual, not presenting the bold features or lofty protuberances 
which characterise that range elsewhere. Some minor spurs 
on the western side form an extensive valley almost opposite to 
that watered by the ltiver Latrobe on the eastern ; others, 
which a further survey proved to divide creeks running in the 
direction of Cape Liptrap and Western Port, w f ere the sole 
elevations in the rest of this undulating country. 
I shall conclude the description of Gipps’ Land with a literal 
extract from Count Streleski’s own narrative. After noticing 
the excellence of the climate, and some scientific discoveries, 
he proceeds, i( That which, however, is already open to indus¬ 
try—ready to reward the toil and perseverance of the unwearied 
and thriving settlers of Australia—is the country itself, con¬ 
sidered as an agricultural and pastoral one. Scarcely any spot 
I know, either within or without the boundaries of New South 
Wales, on a large or small scale, can boast such advantages as 
Gipps’ Land. On an extent of <5000 square miles it has up¬ 
wards of 250 miles of sea-coast, two already known harbours— 
that of Corner Inlet and Western Port, besides those for small 
craft, which may probably exist where her waters disembogue ; 
eight rivers, in addition to a navigable lake and lagoons, which 
bisect 100 miles of her length; with 3000 square miles of 
forest—plains—valleys, which in richness of soil, pasturage, 
and situation cannot he surpassed.” 
The most distant of the northern points of Gipps’ Land is 
only 120 miles from Corner Inlet and 100 from Western Port. 
A communication for seventy miles could be established by the 
construction of bridges across the rivers j the rest of the road, 
if a course is pursued through the ranges, would require to be 
cleared of brush and logs : hut an apparently easier route would 
be to follow the course of a valley lying on the western side of 
the dividing range, and mounting the ridge, which is there of 
easy ascent, to descend into the valley running to its foot upon 
the eastern side. 
There remains only to point out to the Public what course 
will conduct any enterprising individual into this favoured land. 
In the opinion of Count Streleski it would he advisable for any 
person wishing to visit Gipps’ Land, either to go to Western 
1 ort, and thence retrace the tracks of the party which he con¬ 
ducted, or otherwise turning off at Mr. Dodds’ station, to 
follow the tracks of Mr. J. McArthur’s overseer and a small 
party which have been despatched after the horses, which were 
abandoned on the River Latrobe. 
